Let us help you recover valuable metals. 888-437-1187

Magazine

Legislation & Regulation

New Mining Regulations in Maine

Augusta, Maine (AP)—The Maine Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) approved new mining regulations in January that advocates say will weaken land and water protections and won’t protect the environment from sulfuric acid and other toxins.

Renewed interest in mining of gold, silver, copper and other metals in Aroostook County’s Bald Mountain triggered 2012 legislation requiring the overhaul of the state’s two-decade-old mining regulations.

The Democratic-controlled state Legislature, however, will have the final say on the new rules, which could be the subject of a heated battle.

The Department of Environmental Protection, which drafted the regulations, has said the rules are based on science, meet the requirements of law and protect the environment. But some environmentalists are angry over what they say are insufficient protections.

The final BEP rules opened up some conservation land to underground mining, allowed mining companies to potentially treat contaminated water in perpetuity, and allowed mining companies to start construction without providing full financial assurances—although those financial obligations must be fully met before mining can commence.

Nick Bennett from the Natural Resources Council of Maine said the BEP made some last-minute changes and ignored hundreds of public comments calling for stronger rules.

But any mining operations are likely years away. J.D. Irving Ltd., owner of Bald Mountain, says it still doesn’t know if mining is feasible and that any mining operation is at least five years away.
© ICMJ's Prospecting and Mining Journal, CMJ Inc.
Next Article »« Previous Article

Add a Comment

Additional articles that might interest you...

Update on MMAC & PLP


Public Lands for the People is working on a Miner's Bill of Rights with the support of several members of Congress.

Legislative and Regulatory Update


• Change is coming at Interior
• Interior Department seeking public comment regarding minerals

Bawl Mill


March 2023

Nevada Mining Tax Cap Repeal Clears Committee


An Assembly panel approved a measure to repeal the constitutional tax cap on net proceeds paid by mining companies in Nevada.

MMAC & PLP Update


Keep in mind there are specific steps that must be taken to get your traditional mining district organized if it has fallen into disarray.

A 'Rare' Opportunity for America


All of which brings us back to the question of why we rely so heavily on China in the first place. America’s economy is heavily dependent upon energy and telecommunications, but does that require Chinese manufacturing? Clearly not.

Legislative and Regulatory Update


  • DOI to address threatened species
  • 141 Confirmations still pending
  • California withdrawals canceled

Subscription Required:
The Bawl Mill   • Legislative and Regulatory Update   • Ask the Experts   • Ask the Experts   • Ask the Experts   • Ask the Experts   • Our Readers Say   • The Perfect Summer   • Eolian Gold Deposits   • Copper Deposits of Alaska   • Divide and Conquer—Detecting Old Placer Grounds with Friends   • Reserves and Resources Explained   • Critical Metals: Lithium   • Coprolite—A Prospector's Tale   • Comstock Mining Gets Approval   • Melman on Gold & Silver   • Mining Stock Quotes and Mineral & Metal Prices

Free:
SB 838 and the Future of Mining in Oregon

Advertisements

Precious Metals Recovery plants and equipment
Fighting to keep public lands open to the public
Specializing in the processing of precious metal ores!
Watch prospecting shows on your computer right now
Free Online Sample Issue